£2.1bn aerospace deal will safeguard hundreds of BAE Systems’ jobs

A massive £2.1bn aerospace contract, that will protect hundreds of Lancashire jobs, has been welcomed.

Fylde MP Mark Menzies today welcomed the Typhoon maintenance contract which will maintain hundreds of jobs at BAE Systems’ Warton site for years to come.

Minister for Defence Procurement, Philip Dunne MP, signed off on the landmark 10-year support arrangement for the RAF’s Typhoon jets.

The new Typhoon Total Availability eNterprise (TyTAN) agreement aims to deliver more than a third on savings on current support and maintenance costs, and could see more than £500m reinvested to continue upgrading Typhoon’s capabilities.

And Mr Menzies said: “I am proud to be part of a Government which supports British industry and this is a further sign of our commitment to aerospace workers in Fylde.

“This arrangement will provide more efficient support and ensure our Typhoon fleet is readily available to deal with any challenges necessary at any time they become apparent.

“However, it will also help ensure Typhoon continues to meet the RAF’s future operational requirements, including undertaking new air-to-ground roles, currently performed by our Tornado jets, from 2019.

“This major contract will protect hundreds of jobs in Warton and at RAF Conningsby, Typhoon’s main operating base, while ensuring support is provided in the most efficient way possible.”

The Warton-built Typhoon is already the world’s most advanced combat aircraft. However, the savings generated through the new arrangement will enable future capability upgrades, ensuring it continues to provide world-class air power capability.

TyTAN allows recycling of support funding into upgrading the aircraft.

Mr Menzies added: “It is vital for jobs at Warton that Typhoon continues to be upgraded so it remains the number one aircraft on the competitive export market. That is why it is so important to maximise efficiencies and identify savings to re-invest in the aircraft.

“This arrangement shows the Government is committed to funding state-of-the-art equipment for our armed forces, but also providing value for money for the taxpayer.”